Leah Jones will lead the Western Province women’s cricket team for the third consecutive season.

The 22-year-old from Colorado in Mitchell’s Plain says she and her team are gearing up for the upcoming season and to defend the Cricket South Africa’s T20 Challenge. The competition gets under way next month with her side facing the Knights on Sunday October 13 at the Newlands Cricket Stadium .

Speaking before Jones and her charges headed to Oudtshoorn for a pre-season camp to escape the Cape’s ever changing weather, Jones said she is honoured to have been named captain again.

“We are looking forward to the challenge and defending the T20 title which is our main goal and to improve on our third place in the 50 over Challenge. We have had a tough winter program, mainly indoors I may just add, and we are now looking forward to the new season,” said Jones.

The WP squad has been bolstered by new additions, former Proteas Women’s captain Dane van Niekerk, SA under-19 captain Oluhle Siyo and Rifqah Esau. The experience of Marizanne Kapp has also been lured to the Mother City.

Jones, who is a third-year law student at the University of the Western Cape says she has found a way via the extended programme offered by the institution to complete her degree.

“Look, it’s tough, but it’s great to have found a way to study and pursue my ambitions. I believe that it is important for me to have that balance. Cricket is my passion but having a degree is also good,” Jones added.

Jones said she was attracted to the sport while participating in the KFC Mini-cricket programme and encouraged not only the youth, but also parents to introduce the sport to children via mini cricket.

“I don’t think children should be forced. But I would like to encourage them to participate and if they felt they would like the sport then they should be encouraged. There are many opportunities for the children and who knows they could be in the WP-setup.”

Meanwhile, Beauran Hendricks will lead the WP men’s team in this season’s T20 campaign which gets under way against the Boland Rocks at Newlands on Sunday. The 34-year-old Hendricks, takes over reins from Kyle Verreynne who is on international duty with the Proteas.

Hendricks expressed his excitement with his appointment and see the captaincy as having gone full circle in the province where he leant his cricket and also debuting as rookie players for the Cape Cobras.

“Having started my career at WP. It’s indeed an honour for me to be leading the province . It’s not something I take lightly, and my focus will be to continue the work we as a team have done under Kyle Verreynne,” said Hendricks.

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Captain Leah Jones ready for T20 challenge